"Of all time" means that it has to bring something spectacular to the table, something that people wont forget or have some knowledge of later. Something which other games try to replicate (in today's industry).
Therefore any series must be limited to the 'first one'. So BF3 is based on BF1, which is where much of the technology and experience of the game designers (and limitations came from) - generally speaking. Some studios change owners and devs through time. Ref COD series.
In no particular order;
Elite - All space games come from this, it also proved open games worked
Civilization - much of tactical turn based games today comes from this on some level
Halflife - It raised the bar on FPS and spawned much of what we have today, even for multiplayer shooters
Sims - clean, simple and added complexity without adding confusion
Deus Ex - RPG elements and deep storyline, immersive and there have been few games that can even match that standard
Therefore any series must be limited to the 'first one'. So BF3 is based on BF1, which is where much of the technology and experience of the game designers (and limitations came from) - generally speaking. Some studios change owners and devs through time. Ref COD series.
In no particular order;
Elite - All space games come from this, it also proved open games worked
Civilization - much of tactical turn based games today comes from this on some level
Halflife - It raised the bar on FPS and spawned much of what we have today, even for multiplayer shooters
Sims - clean, simple and added complexity without adding confusion
Deus Ex - RPG elements and deep storyline, immersive and there have been few games that can even match that standard